Re-installed OS onto my HTPC and am giving Knoppix - Runtime Live CD a try. Like the idea of creating an image .ISO as opposed to having to install an OS, updates, service-packs and having to install software again and again further to hardware / software issues. Cannot recommend Ninite enough for reinstalling applications with the absolute minimum of fuss (more like no fuss at all).

Edit: The above Live-CD wasn't a success unfortunately. HTPC would not boot into OS.